Thomas gilpin turner



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. GQTURNER.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

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(N5 Model.)

T. G. TURNER. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 389,678. Patented Sept. 18, 1888 i I 1 I I VJ .Z'

s vi WITNESSES! INVENTUR h B ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT UEEICE.

THOMAS GILPIN TURNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,678, dated September 18, 1888.

Application filed February 6, 1888. Serial No. 263,164. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LTHoMAs GILPIN TURNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Alarm Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to asystem of fire-alarm combining an automatic signal with a chemical fire-extinguisher, and has for its object a device or system wherein a chemical fire extinguisher is suspended by means of an arm device placed in an electric circuit, so that when the extinguisher is removed from the signal-box or device the signaling device is operated and the alarm of fire is sent to the public station of the fire-department or to the office where the sounding device is located. It is well known that the first few moments after a fire are the most valuable in efforts to subdue it, and for this reason small chemical fireextinguishers have found favor and have been proven of great value. It is also well known that the immediate use of the handextinguisher often results in a delay in sending an alarm to the public fire-department; or, if an alarm is first sent, the delay in the use of the hand extinguisher thereby occasioned often results in a spread of the fire, which its immediate use would have prevented.

The device which is the subject of my in vention makes use of the hand-extinguisher as an aid in the sending of the alarm, and when used in connection with a fire alarm signalbox, as herein shown and described, it also designates the location of the fire.

The accompanying drawings will illustrate my device, in which Figure 1 shows an electric circuit, in which are placed several hand fire'extinguishers suspended from signal-boxes. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a hand-extinguisher attached to the signal-box. Fig. 3 is a view of the signalbox with broken covering, showing the manner of attaching the arm of the hand-extinguisher to the shaft of the signal-wheel of the box. Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the handextinguisher with arm attached. Fig. 5 shows asupport for thehand-extinguisher when hung from the signal-box.

Like letters refer to corresponding parts.

A is the location of the sounding device.

13 is the battery; 0, the gong; I, the line; D, the signal-box; E, the pole or support upon which the signal-box is placed; F, the hand fire extinguisher, and G the arm attached thereto.

The arm G is riveted to the back of the extinguisher by rivet k, passing through slot 9, so that the arm may turn on the rivet. The socket Z passes into the signal-box and fits up on the end of the shaft of the signal-wheel. When the extinguisher is attached to the signal-box, the arm G must be raised at right angles with the extinguisher, as shown in Fig. 3. After the socket Z is adjusted on the shaft of the signalwheel, the extinguisher is lowered to its support H, whereby the signal-wheel is given a one-quarter turn and the spring of the signalbox is compressed. \Vhen a fire occurs, the extinguisher is removed, the spring of the signal-box is released, and the usual alarm of fire and notice of location are sent. No particular form of signal-box is required, the only requirement being that the extinguisher shall be so hung or placed in the electric circuit that the suspension or placing of it in its normal position will operate to place the signaling apparatus in position for automatic action upon the removal of the extinguisher, and its removal will, by automatic action, cause the alarm to be sounded. This may be done by a mechanical or electrical device. The device shown is regarded as preferable by reason of its simplicity; but I do not confine myself to any particular form of signaling device.

No particular fire-extinguisher is necessary; but I recommend the use of the extinguisher described in Letters Patent No. 3Sl,658, inasmuch as the chemical compound used therein will not freeze in the coldest weather.

The system described is adapted for use inbe placed in the electric circuit, thereby not only sounding the alarm of fire, but at the same time designating the location.

In cities, and especially in villages, a few hand extinguishers distributed in public places, owned by and under the control of the proper corporate authorities and connected with signatboxes in an electric circuit, as described, would afi'ord protection to a large amount of property, and would save a much larger outlay for private purchase of extinguishers, which, when most wanted, would be found to be locked in private buildings.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fire-alarm system composed of an electric circuit, in which is located an electric generator, an electric signaling device, a signal box or boxes, and a fire-extinguishing apparatus suspended from the mechanism of the sig- 2o nal-box, whereby the weight of the apparatus places the mechanism of the signal-box in position for automatic action upon its removal, substantially as described and shown.

2. In a fire-alarm system, the combination 25 of an electric circuit having a signaling device with one or more signal-boxes, D D, in the circuit, one or more fire-extinguishers, F F, provided with arm G, fitted to engage with shaft of signal-wheel of signal-box, substantially as 0 and for the purpose described and shown.

Signed at New York city, in the county oi" New York and State of New York, this 2d day of February, A. D. 1888.

THOMAS GILPIN TURNER.

Witnesses:

W. J. TOWNSEND, GEORGE FENN. 

